Hero De Villeneuve© Photo Healy Racing
Improving chaser Hero De Villeneuve capitalised on his comparatively lenient timber figure in the Al Aasfa Best Dressed Lady Win A Trip To Meydan Races Dubai Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick.
Not disgraced off 130 over fences at Perth last month, he competed off a mark of 92 back in this sphere so it was no surprise he was sent off the 3-1 market leader.
Andrew Lynch sent him about his business on the descent to two out and kept him up to his work to see off Tico by four lengths.< Landau registered a facile victory in the Botanica International Natural Herbal Products Maiden Hurdle.
The 5-6 favourite had finished second at Tramore on his previous outing and after going in pursuit of market rival Captain Carleton when that one took up the running on the long run to two out, Landau eased to the front at the last and sauntered a length and a quarter clear at the line, despite being eased down.
That initiated a double for trainer Gordon Elliott, who followed up in the Paddy Galbraith Memorial Handicap Hurdle courtesy of 12-length victor Drunken Counsel (11-1).
Luke Dempsey established a clear advantage heading to the third-last and left enough in the tank for his mount to go away again once challenged turning for home.
Half a mile from the finish, Effernock Lad and The Cub appeared to have the Al Aasfa 2 Stables Dubai Maiden between them, but such was the progress made by Tight Time and Crown Theatre that four jumped the last with a chance.
However, 6-1 shot Effernock Lad stuck to his task admirably and fended off Elliott's Crown Theatre by two and three-quarter lengths.< Buster Dan Dan (7-4 favourite) made all the running to claim the Fran And Maree Murrin Memorial Cup Maiden Hurdle, while the Willie Murphy Jewellers, Downpatrick Handicap Hurdle went the way of 9-1 chance Fast Exit
